Power Inverters

Power inverters form the heart of the electronics package in a renewable energy electric power system. Most modern power inverters are part of a sophisticated network of devices for power conversion, control and monitoring.

A battery-based (usually off-grid) power inverter converts DC (direct current) electricity from the storage battery, to AC (alternating current) electricity for delivery to your household outlets at 120 volts, just like utility power. Inverter/chargers also employ a powerful battery charging function that swiftly recharges your battery when another energy source is present, such as a diesel generator or utility power.

Power inverters for grid-tie (also called grid-interactive) use are designed to convert DC electricity from a solar panel array, directly to AC electricity without the use of a storage battery. Energy flows to or from the utility, depending on how much energy your home is using compared to how much energy your power system is producing.  The utility grid takes the place of a storage battery. Some grid-interactive inverters work with a storage battery to keep the system active when the utility is off-line, while still providing an interactive connection with the utility grid under normal circumstances.

Most battery-based power inverters produce 120 volts AC electricity, while others can give 120/240 volt split-phase power such as is commonly supplied by the utility grid. Some inverters have the ability to be "stacked" together in series or parallel with identical models to provide higher voltage, higher output wattage, or both. Your requirements for both voltage and total capacity will determine which inverter models will be the right choice for your system.

Sinewave or modified-sinewave? Really, these "modified sinewave" inverters produce a modified squarewave that is a very rough approximation of a true sinewave. Modified-wave inverters offer some economy for the initial investment, but the ragged waveform takes a heavy toll on electronics, and most electric motors run hotter and less efficiently. Today's imported electrical products are often engineered to minimum standards which generally means a shorter lifespan in the more challenging "mod-wave" electrical environment. Many products (front loading washers, devices with digital controls) may be quickly damaged or not function at all. Quality sinewave inverters produce a waveform that is the equal of utility power (or better), giving your electrical devices the sort of waveform that they were designed for. Years ago, sinewave inverters were much more expensive than mod-wave, but that margin has closed substantially. Except for very specific uses, we recommend pure sinewave inverters for all installations.

Be sure to see our specific categories in the main menu to narrow your search for the right inverter.